Exclusive: Why digital adoption is helping improve fire safety in construction in the UK

by Breaking NewsSafety
Lee Jones, Head of Manufacturing Solutions at NBS, discusses how digital adoption is helping improve fire safety in construction in the UK

As the details of the Building Safety Bill continue to be debated in Parliament, one area that is consistently improving standards within fire safety is the uptake of digital construction. But what can a digital approach offer and how can it help raise the bar to ensure occupants remain safe?

The construction industry currently finds itself in a state of flux. Following recent events, fire safety is a number one concern, yet the sector continues to see widespread problems in this area. Only recently, we saw reports that one in five studios and B&Bs in London have been deemed to be unsafe with 72% of cases relating to fire safety.

Yet hope is on the horizon, and following Dame Judith Hackitt’s review into building regulations and fire safety back in May 2018, the industry is now on a path to ensure greater fail-safes and a requirement for what Hackitt termed ‘The Golden Thread’ of information. The Golden Thread being ‘both the information that allows you to understand a building and the steps needed to keep both the building and people safe, now and in the future’. Only by having these systems in place can the industry then claw back occupant confidence and deliver full transparency and accountability on building practices.

Yet along with reform, such as the introduction of a building safety regulator and a construction product regulator, other methods are also helping the industry raise its game, one of which is the digitising of the construction industry.

The demand for digital

One of the main benefits to working digitally, is that for specifiers, contractors and residents they have the ability to access extensive datasets on safety critical products. This feature plays a huge role in guaranteeing the safety of buildings and end users by supplying them with the most up-to-date information. If the industry is to iron-out the risk of products being ‘mis-specified’, then architects must be given a vehicle to access this information as easily as possible.

The RIBA Plan of Work, which is regarded by many as the ‘industry blueprint’ for the construction process has also embraced digital. For example, Part three of the overview document covers ‘Changing Processes’ and includes guidance on how digital tools can shift the balance away from 2D information towards 3D and data. It shows the direction the industry is heading – digital site surveys are also becoming the norm, using cloud surveys, photogrammetry, lidar, and the ability to mount cameras on drones, to help with the success of projects.

BIM leads the way

We also know that the digitisation of the sector is being well received within the construction community with positivity. In NBS’ 2021 Digital Construction Report, it found that 80% of respondents think adoption of digital technologies is delivering a better built environment. A further 78% also agreed that the sector needs to be working digitally if its to play its part in realising the golden thread of information.

Feeding into this is also the greater use of BIM (Building Information Modelling). This digital approach can be used to improve the design, construction and operation of buildings, making them safer for end users. Again, it’s a concept that has been around for some time but the recent shift in perception of BIM has allowed this way of working to flourish, with three quarters of specifiers now using BIM compared to just one in ten a decade ago.

Inspections on-site

No matter how well designed, the final piece of the puzzle remains with how the build is produced on site. Is proper due care being given to fire safety inspection and how can site staff be sure that the building is true to its original specification? Digital project management tools are also helping in this area. For site managers, or those in charge of building quality and control, the introduction of tools that digitally log when work has been carried out has been a game changer. Today’s app and tools also feature the ability to send photos and videos, for even greater peace of mind that fire safety has been prioritised. It’s likely we’ll see more requests of this sort occupants as knowledge around fire safety on-site increases.

We’ve heard the Government talk in depth at how it plans to ‘Build Back Better’ and by looking at evidence, we can see that a continued investment in digital construction will be a big part of the answer to make this possible. What’s now needed is urgency – both in parliament and in the wider sector so that we can ensure improvements are made as quickly as possible.

This article was originally published in the June edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Thinking outside of the box: Intelliclad talks external fire detection

by Breaking NewsFire DetectionProducts

IFSJ looks at the intelligent fire detection and alarm system being integrated into dangerous building

Since 2010, 60% of high-rise façade fires have started externally, with causes including discarded cigarette butts on balconies, external lighting malfunctions, air conditioning units breaking down and fires in bins. According to Ramtech, development partner of fire detection and alert system Intelliclad, there are an estimated 321,000 people living in high rise apartment blocks in the UK alone that are deemed to be unsafe because of the combustible external façade.

As Frances Maria Peacock noted in her report for Olympus Fire Safety on the Intelliclad solution, a fire which starts inside and remains inside poses far less of a risk of extensive because the compartmentation is maintained. A fire which starts externally or becomes external is far more likely to spread. Whilst it may have started internally, the Grenfell fire of 2017 brought to public attention the severe threat posed by a combustible façade.

Almost five years on from the disaster, thousands of residents are essentially trapped inside unsafe buildings they bought, leased or rented only after the fact discovering that due to the safety concerns made apparent by the tragedy, they are unable to sell or re-mortgage their homes as they are no longer insurable.

The cladding at Grenfell was of a type known as Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) which is essentially a polyethylene (PE) core sandwiched between two thin aluminium sheets. ACM is just one example of dangerous cladding, with other types found to be combustible and posing fire risks such as High Pressure Laminate (HPL).

Peacock pointed out in her report that although measures have been taken in some buildings to make them safe, many still await rectification and will do so for some time to come. “It is likely to be years before all the affected buildings have had the necessary work done in order to make them safe,” she said. “Residents live in constant fear of their lives, with many being unable to sleep in case a fire starts during the night and they do not wake up.”

Even with funding made available by the Government, progress is slow and on top of that many buildings are ineligible. As an interim measure, what is known as a “waking watch” has been implemented in buildings where a temporary change from a “stay put” policy to a “simultaneous evacuation” strategy has been introduced – incredibly, this essentially involves a person patrolling the building keeping a look out for signs of fire so that residents can be warned and the fire brigade alerted.

The system has been criticised for its lack of effectiveness, with reports of lack of vigilance from members of the watch. The idea of being reliant on a such a manual system in a world dependent on technology seems backwards – and so enters a more reliable technology-based solution in the form of Intelliclad.

A technological solution

Intelliclad is the recently developed alarm system, developed in partnership with wireless technology provider Ramtech, which works using smoke and heat sensors in the façade. The sensors are designed to detect a fire at the earliest opportunity and residents will be alerted through activation of the system’s alarm as well as alerting residents individually via a smart phone app. It can also be linked to the existing building management system and activate the main fire alarm within the building, which in turn automatically alerts the fire brigade and increasing response time.

Intelliclad works using a wireless system certified to EN54-25 which is designed to be integrated into the external façade of high risk buildings where combustible materials are present. The system uses smart sensors are fitted inside the cladding system and connect to a control system so that in the event of a fire, an alert can be sent to all residents via both a smartphone app and the main alarm system within the building.

It uses a cloud-based technology to give residents and the fire service information on the location of the fire and its real-time progress across the building as each sensor is aware of its location and can provide information as to exactly where on the façade the fire is located.

Tests have found that the sensors were activated at times of less than ten minutes before the cladding was breached by a fire, meaning that in a real life situation, residents would be given more time to leave the building than a traditional alarm of waking watch system.

Aesthetically, Intelliclad sensors can be colour matched to the existing cladding meaning that the appearance of the building will not be compromised. Battery life of the system’s sensors last three years and when the battery is getting low, the system gives a warning to let the building owner know that it needs replacing. The sensors are connected to each other in a mesh network and each communicates with other devices, meaning the system would still be capable of operating as normal if there is a dead battery in one unit.

Intelliclad has a dual-optic smoke sensor which prevents false activations so if it activates an alarm, it will only be in the case of a real fire. The alarm system has its own 96-decibel sounder – 10db higher than the 85db recommended for use outside of bedroom doors in flats.

In the concluding marks of her report on Intelliclad, Peacock called it the first alarm system which can be successfully used in conjunction with the ground-breaking research carried out as a result of Grenfell, which looked at the relationship between building design and fire spread.

She said: “Research showed that the overall shape, geometric form and architectural features of a building can influence the spread and behaviour of fire. Characteristics such as curves, columns, string courses and roof-top features including crowns and rims, have been shown to intensify and facilitate the spread of fire.

“The research has for the first time made it possible to predict the spread and behaviour of fire on a building if it has a combustible façade. This will allow the areas of the façade which pose the greatest risk to be identified and the Intelliclad sensors positioned accordingly. The last thirty years have seen several serious facade fires ignited by external sources, one of which resulted in a substantial loss of life.

“Fires which ignite externally as just as likely to happen as those which start internally and present just as much of a threat, especially if they result in the compartmentation being breached. From this point of view, an alarm system with external sensors is of considerable benefit.”

Solving the housing crisis?

Speaking to Ryan Brough, Head of Operations at Intelliclad, he says the plan is to go down the route of speaking to insurers and lenders to say: early detection means early firefighting, and earlier firefighting means less loss. “We’ve installed so far into five buildings,” he tells. “Our first was in south London in Croydon – that whole building was covered in a render and expanding polystyrene system – imagine that on fire, it’s just not good.”

On their installation in in Southampton, he tells that the insulation and the plywood sheathing board behind that cladding was the problem: “I was speaking to the guy that surveyed that building and he said it’s the scariest building he’s ever come across. It’s got restaurants, a museum, it’s in a public square so people are probably putting their cigarettes out onto the cladding – imagine if those embers get in behind.”

And on Intelliclad’s aims for the future, he says it is very much about the people: “The real reason we’re trying to do this is to protect the residents. These residents through no fault of their own are going bankrupt because they can’t afford their fees and are stuck in a building that is unfortunately built dangerously.

“There are 1.3 million homes in the UK that are un-mortgageable and cannot get a valuation – so lets try and get the lenders back on board and get some of these houses sold. Otherwise, we’re looking at a housing crisis.”

This article was originally published in the June edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Bigger, Better, Faster, Lighter: Hydraulically-driven submersible pumps

by Breaking NewsProductsPumps

With 34 years of experience in mobile water transport, Hytrans explains the benefits of hydraulically driven submersible pumps.

Since 1988, Hytrans has developed, manufactured, and supplied mobile water transport systems with hydraulically driven submersible pumps. Overt the last 34 years, Hytrans has supplied more than 1200 of its HydroSub systems across the globe, establishing itself with a reputation of good quality, proven performance, and innovation.

The biggest advantages of using hydraulically driven submersible pumps versus conventional suction pumps are, according to Hytrans, the vertical pump lift without draft loss and the deployment time. With a conventional system, the required priming consumes valuable time, especially in situations where time is of the essence.

In addition, when drafting from seven meters down the capacity of a pump reduces by approximately 70%. By using a submersible pump, such as Hytrans’ hydraulically driven offer, this is no longer a problem as the hydraulically driven pump is floating, an as a result priming is not needed and there is no draft loss. This means pumping water from 60 meters vertically down from any open water source can be achieved easily without capacity loss.

In its efforts to develop mobile and easy-to-handle water transport systems, Hytrans has built its systems as containerized modules. With this, each container can be handled using a truck with a hook arm lift-off system. In case of a large-scale incident, systems can be combined as complementary modules to increase capacity and pumping distance with a minimum time and manpower. When all this is combined, it is a perfect tool for situations where water is a key necessity.

INTERSCHUTZ 2022

As INTERSCHUTZ returns to Hannover from the 20-25 of June, Hytrans will be in attendance to display its latest developments, including its the new HydroSub 1200F. The new unit features two hydraulically-driven submersible pumps in combination with a built-in booster pump with a total capacity of 30.000 lpm @ 12 bar. The system is driven by two diesel engines with a total power of 1200 KW (over 1600 HP). One engine drives the hydraulic system for the submersible pumps and the booster pump is driven by a second engine assisted by the other.

The HydroSub device can be controlled using a Human Machine Interface alongside an advanced monitoring system called CANbus. The operator can choose the setup, such as water intake from open water or a hydrant, and the unit will automatically select the right program to start. Depending on the program one or both engines start automatically.

The operator can concentrate on the flow and pressure and the control system takes care of controlling the engines automatically. Depending on the deployment country the unit will be equipped with diesel engines following the latest emissions rules applicable.

Another patented system on this unit is the satellite PowerFoam. This system consists of a hydraulically driven foam gear pump driven by two hydraulic lines – pressure and return – of 30 metres. The foam pump is built in a small, stainless steel frame on wheels which can be brought to the foam supply and can be a set of combined IBCs or a foam tank. Having the foam pump as close as possible to the supply, the supply line is very short and allows high viscous foam to be used.

From the satellite foam pump, a flexible pressure hose is connected to the booster pump, inside the container frame of HydroSub where the foam is injected into the water. By knowing the water flow and measuring the foam flow the exact percentage of foam – as set by the operator – is injected. The whole system is automatically controlled and completely independent of flow and pressure.

All PowerFoam solutions from Hytrans use hydraulics to drive the foam gear pump, and in combination with accurate water flow measuring/calculation the exact amount of foam concentrate is added to the water flow. Foam settings can be input from 0-6% with increments of 0.1%. The system works in such a way that it is fully independent of pressure and water flow and adapts automatically if there is fluctuation, ensuring accurate foam mixing.

It also features a return line which allows users to return the foam concentrate to the container during training sessions. This has the advantage that both the foam settings on the pump unit as well as the foam logistics can be trained without wasting precious foam.

FloodModule

Because of climate change, flooding is becoming more prevalent all over the world. In anticipation of this, Hytrans developed an add-on system for flood fighting for the HydroSub 150 unit, called the FloodModule. This module is equipped with specially designed flood pumps that can replace the standard submersible pump.

With the add-on system, the capacity of the HydroSub unit is multiplied by six to achieve a capacity of 50.000 lpm (13.200 GPM). New developments have also made the pumps lighter and as a result even easier to deploy. The FloodModule with all its features will also be shown at Hytrans stand at INTERSCHUTZ.

Hytrans StrateLine Large diameter hose

To transport large volumes of water over long distances it is necessary to use a large diameter hose to reduce the friction loss. Depending on the distance, elevation and required end-pressure, Hytrans can make the calculations and determine the most suitable diameter and the number of parallel lines needed. Large diameter hoses, which range from 6” up to 12”, behave differently than smaller diameters and therefore have specific requirements to guarantee a safe and quick deployment.

With this in mind, Hytrans has developed the StrateLine hose which will be on show at INTERSCHUTZ. This through-the-weave extruded rubber hose is characterized by a low elongation (<1.5%), low weight, and high flexibility.

Working in emergency situations a fast deployment of the system is key. For the fast deployment of the large diameter hoses, it is important that couplings can withstand the ground impact at speed. Hytrans’ couplings are designed to be low weight to reduce the force of the impact, which has the added benefit of increases the total length of hoses that can be stored inside the Hose Layer Container as a result of the volume decrease of the coupling. Hytrans can supply Multi Lug couplings as a standard for the StrateLine hoses – high-grade aluminum couplings which need only a 5-degree twist to lock and are low weight and have a high impact resistance. Due to the patented chamfered lugs, the couplings open easily, once uncoupled, and allow quick relief of the water.

The mobile systems made by Hytrans Systems are a complete solution and designed to be used in extreme circumstances. In these circumstances, the system must be deployed in minutes using minimum manpower which is why the engineers at Hytrans are constantly working on making things easier and lighter without affecting performance, strength, reliability, and mobility.

Mobile high-volume pumping was, is, and will be a constant development to get bigger, better, faster, and lighter equipment to help firefighters to assist them to fulfil their tough job. Hytrans is using its 34-years of experience to make the best system worldwide available.

This article was originally published in the June edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Exclusive: Flourine Free Foam Solutions from Fomtec

by Breaking NewsProductsPumps

John Olav Ottesen, CEO and founder of firefighting foam developer and manufacturer Fomtec, talks foam, fluorine and INTERSCHUTZ 2022

In 2001 I founded Dafo Fomtec AB with the goal of producing and supplying high quality firefighting foam agents and associated foam hardware. 21 years on our main manufacturing location remains in Helsingborg, Sweden. I have a small dedicated team of industry professionals as we maintain our strong customer focus and I am proud to say that we supply our products to over 65 countries around the world. Fomtec will again be exhibiting at Interschutz 2022 and we are looking forward to welcoming our existing customers and potential new clients to Stand C17, in Hall 13.

Why use foam?

Since humans started to use liquid hydrocarbons as an energy source we have strived to find a more effective extinguishing agent than water. Whilst other agents such as water, dry chemical powder and gaseous agents are also effective with liquid hydrocarbon fuel fires, foam adds the additional life safety factor of providing a foam ‘blanket’ that prevents vapour escaping thereby preventing re-ignition post extinguishment. The water draining from the foam also has a cooling effect on the fuel and surrounding structure, aiding the extinguishment process.  Compared to DCP and gaseous, agents foam is also relatively inexpensive.

Offering high performance foam concentrates and tested systems of hardware with foam are critical for our clients to be truly protected. Performance extends to Fomtec manufacturing and delivering our products when we promise we will and in our current fiscal year we have achieved a better than 95% on-time delivery.

Trust is closely linked to performance and Fomtec invests heavily in fire performance testing and then having our products approved through independent third parties to the appropriate international standards. We also make our approval data readily available to all who visit our website, and Fomtec remains one of the few foam manufacturers who do this.

With the transition away from PFAS based foams based on the environmental impact of the PFAS chemicals, it is vital that sustainability is part of our business. Starting with the selection of raw materials and the evaluation of all our suppliers, through to the treatment of water used in our facility, through to the evaluation of travel needs for supporting the business.

Fomtec at INTERSCHUTZ

At the last Interschutz in 2015 all the talk in the firefighting foam world was about the transition to shorter chain C6 PFAS containing foam, and now 7 short years later those discussions will now be about the transition away from these foams to fluorine free foams. This transition is not being driven by the foam manufacturers and it is certainly not because the new fluorine free foams outperform the fluorinated foams. Nor is it because the fluorine free foams are lower cost that their fluorinated alternatives. The transition away from fluorinated foams is entirely due to environmental restrictions and legislation in relation to a family of chemicals know as PFAS.

In the last 20 years we have seen the PFAS chemicals PFOS and PFOA, which were used in fluorinated foams, declared Persistent Organic Pollutants and use of foams containing these chemicals are banned or are restricted with defined periods to stop using the foams. As stated above in 2015 all foam manufacturers were talking about their new C6 foams at Interschutz, but the PFAS chemicals in these foams are now scheduled for restriction and eventually will no longer allowed to be used.

The Enviro Programme

There is no doubt that the addition of the fluorine-based chemicals in firefighting foams played an important part in their performance. As we always like to point out fluorine free foam agents have been around for many years including protein foams, as well as many Class A and synthetic detergent foams. Developing high performance Class B fluorine free foams is a challenge and since 2014 nearly all of Fomtec’s research and development money has been invested in the Enviro Programme.

This is the name that Fomtec gave to the project to develop high performance Class B fluorine free foams. Fomtec quickly realized that expansion ratio, drain time and bubble structure are even more important with fluorine free foam agents, and achieving positive results against fires means that the foam agents need to the tested and approved with the associated foam hardware to ensure that the finished foam has foam qualities that match those that were used to successfully meet the requirements of UL 162 and FM 5130.

At Interschutz 2022 we will be promoting our range of Synthetic Fluorine Free Foams (SFFF), which are marketed under the Enviro (by Fomtec) brand name. The Enviro by Fomtec range is a range of foam concentrates which are a direct result of Fomtec determining that foams needed to be designed and formulated for the different firefighting missions. Extensive research and development, including more than 1500 fire performance tests, has led to Fomtec offering a range of Enviro branded products. These products are supported by international approvals within relevant sectors: industrial (UL/FM), marine (IMO), aviation (ICAO), military (US Mil Spec), emergency response (EN/UL) and wildland (US Forest service).

In May 2021 Enviro USP and Enviro ARK achieved FM approval for use with non-aspirated sprinklers, with Enviro ARK being the first SFFF to achieve this approval for use on polar solvent fuels. Enviro USP and Enviro ARK have class leading FM approvals with non-aspirated sprinklers from 6’ (1.8m) up to 45’ (14m).

Fomtec has always held the belief that decisions should be based on information. These independent approvals mean that the information Fomtec supplies can be considered as solid data and not just an opinion. For many end-users making the transition from PFAS containing foams this data provides peace of mind that they can make this transition without compromising the safety of their personnel or increasing the risk to their facility or business.

Fomtec will also exhibit and have information available on our foam solutions for multiple applications based on our C6 PFAS containing foams and foam hardware. After the extended period between the shows the Fomtec team look forward to welcoming our existing customers and all who want more information on the Enviro range, or other Fomtec solutions.

This article was originally published in the June edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Fol-Da-Tank: Behind the innovation

by Breaking NewsFirefighting EquipmentProducts

Joel Wright, CEO at Fol-Da-Tank, discusses how the company is utilising lean manufacturing to innovate solutions for customers

Firefighting is a profession which is both physically and mentally demanding. It is also a highly dangerous task and so teams are looking for equipment that is efficient and durable in order to handle any high-pressure task. Going above and beyond the basics, innovators in the mobile water supply industry are ensuring that their newest developments are making the intensive day-to-day work of firefighters a little bit easier.

Joel Wright, CEO at portable water tank manufacture Fol-Da-Tank says its team relies on one of the basic principles of its lean manufacturing training to successfully incorporate innovation into its culture. “The lean principle is value is in the eye of the customer,” he explains. “That’s why we listen to our customers in order to create products that make their jobs and lives easier.”

Fol-Da-Tank is built on a 66-year legacy of innovation in the firefighting industry. The founder’s first innovation, the folding frame drop tank, was revolutionary: “He saw his firefighter friends lashing four ladders together and throwing a tarp in the middle,” tells Wright. “This was an effective temporary auxiliary water tank, and it took valuable time to set up and clean up. His infant daughter was home in her playpen which was easy to set up and looked a lot like the tank formed by the ladders and tarp. The first drop tank was built modelling the playpen and it revolutionised rural water supply.”

Inspired Innovation

Since purchasing the company from the founding family, the team has defined its innovation challenge as one of our three core strategies. Simply stated: “We drive demand for innovation.” Wright says that in every interaction with its customers the company has trained itself to listen for unmet needs and wants. “This active approach yields insights that are especially helpful to industry newcomers. While we search for another revolutionary idea, we know our success depends on a steady stream of evolutionary innovation,” he tells.

One of its first innovations was born from a large number of unpleasant conversations about freight damage: “Our drop tanks are long and light. They don’t ship well. When they arrive damaged, it starts a frustrating process for the customer, distributor, carrier, and us. Da-Tank-Stand was our innovative answer and it dramatically reduced freight damage in our domestic shipments.”

Every innovation has a good story. An example Wright gives is when a firefighter visited Fol-Da-Tank’s shop and commented on the colourfulness all the vinyl rolls in the racks. “He said he’d been on a cloudy midnight call and the lighting at the scene was poor,” tells Wright. “He asked if we could make the drain sleeves a different colour than the liner so he could see them easier at the end of the call. This was a simple change to incorporate, and we call it the Hi-Viz drain sleeve.”

One innovation came about from a wildland firefighter who came to the company with stories of sudden wind shifts which triggered the immediate need to move people and equipment: “He told us our standard drain sleeves took too long to drain the tank which consumed valuable time. From this firefighter’s vivid story, we developed the Jumbo Drain which empties our tanks six times faster than a regular drain sleeve,” explains Wright.

Another example was borne when the Fol-Da-Tank team attended a rural water supply class by the team at Got Big Water, when they were struck by the improvised techniques to hold drain sleeves to the frame. “Our design included a rope hold which we RF welded to the outside of the tank wall, a pull through strap, and a carabiner clipped through grommets at the end of the drain sleeve,” he says.

“By design, the carabiner clipped to the rope hold was a perfect way to hold all the water in the tank. When it was time to release the water, all one had to do was unclip the carabiner and pull on the strap. This simple motion pulled the drain sleeve through the tank wall. At the class, we observed how difficult it was to unclip the carabiner while wearing gloves. This is the genesis for our Rapid Release mechanism which is a new standard on tanks and comes in a retrofit kit for existing tanks.”

Repair and replace

Firefighting is an intensely physical, demanding profession and so occasionally equipment is damaged, and Wright says they have received more than one email late at night from a fire chief who returned to the station after an event where equipment was damaged.

Wright explains: “When a truck accidentally backs into a tank, they need a replacement or repair fast. We used our shop software to identify the most popular items. Building finished goods or subassemblies for these items is low risk.  As a result, we commit to our customers 1 to 2-day lead times for the items on our Quick Ship list.”

He adds: “As a lean organisation, we understand that value is in the eye of the customer. When we had to choose where to spend our time, we found bringing innovation to life was easy to justify.”

This article was originally published in the June edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

C-TEC sheds light on the new evacuation systems in high rise buildings

by Breaking NewsBuilding ManagementIndustry Sectors

In June 2017, a fire broke out in a fourth floor flat in the 24 storey Grenfell Tower block of flats that spread quickly and claimed the lives of 72 people, injuring 70 others. Following this, the Scottish government formed an expert review panel to consider whether the Scottish Building Regulations or the Technical Handbooks supporting the building regulations required change.

The expert review panel recommended that for all new blocks of flats of more than 18 metres above ground, facilities should be provided for the use of the fire and rescue service to initiate an evacuate alert signal within flats. It was considered necessary that a standard be produced to allow the technical handbooks to refer to a specific document and this led to the publication of BS 8629 in 2019.

Andy Scott, Projects Director at C-TEC, a leading UK manufacturer of life-safety systems, discusses the recent changes to legislation and what it means for fire safety professionals.

In November 2019, BS 8629, a new British Standard, was published for evacuation alert systems in the UK. Can you explain how it came about?

After the Grenfell Tower fire, the Scottish government quickly brought in a law requiring manual evacuation systems to be installed in new residential buildings taller than 18 metres. This meant a standard was needed to ensure these systems would be effective, so BS 8629 was written quickly so it would be available when the law came into effect.

Following this, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry phase 1 report was published, and it recommended that evacuation systems should be installed in all new and existing high-rise residential buildings, which has led to much more interest than was originally expected.

What is an evacuation alert system?

An evacuation alert system is a manually controlled alarm that allows the fire service to set off evacuation alert sounders in groups of flats, usually a floor at a time.

Currently, the only way the fire service can evacuate a building that does not have a communal fire alarm is to knock on the door of each flat, which puts firefighters at risk and, in a serious fire, may not even be possible, leaving residents unsure of whether it is safer to stay put or leave.

The fire and rescue service will only use the evacuation alert system if they do not have enough resources to fight a fire effectively or if a fire is getting out of control, so it is a last resort that may be used hours after a fire first starts. This is in contrast to a normal fire alarm system, which incorporates automatic fire detectors and operates shortly after a fire starts.

Are fire alarms currently installed in purpose-built blocks of flats?

Many people think that fire alarms are installed because they can see smoke detectors in corridors. However, these are not normally linked to a fire alarm; rather they control ventilation systems that are used to clear smoke from corridors.

When modern high-rise blocks were first built, the BSI’s CP3 guidance said that, provided fire-resistant construction was used, people would be safe in their flats, but they should be able to leave safely if they wished. Later, automatic fire detection and fire alarms were installed in common areas of some blocks of flats, but problems occurred such as false alarms and vandalism.

After this, domestic smoke alarms were introduced, which warn occupants and give them the opportunity to leave their flat and call the fire service, which will normally extinguish the fire before it breaches compartmentation, although these alarms do not help people who are unable to call for help or self-evacuate.

Domestic fire alarms definitely save lives, but they do not warn anyone outside a flat that is on fire, or which flat it is, which they could if they were connected to a communal fire alarm. However, there are still concerns that false alarms from automatic fire alarms will cause unnecessary evacuations, which may be more dangerous than staying put, hence the introduction of the evacuation alert system.

What are the main benefits of having an evacuation alert system installed for landlords and their tenants?

It gives peace of mind that there is a Plan B if everything else goes wrong, not just for occupants, but also for the fire service. We have all heard about the problems with cladding, but other problems are being identified, mainly to do with poor fire compartmentation, and it may not be possible to fix all of them so there will be a continuing risk, which an evacuation alert system can help mitigate.

How will this system tie in with other active fire precautions? For example, can it be integrated with domestic fire alarms or with communal fire alarms?

The fire service is concerned that the fire alarm industry will not understand how an evacuation alert system differs from a normal fire alarm and may install systems that don’t work properly when needed, so BS 8629 says the evacuation alert system should be standalone.

From C-TEC’s perspective, the type of integration that would improve safety is important. For instance, certain types of domestic fire alarms could be connected to the evacuation alert system and their status could be monitored offsite and analysed, so that any potential risks can be identified.

Also, heat detectors in flats, which only trigger in a real fire, could be connected to the system, which could then signal to an alarm receiving centre, resulting in the fire service being called out sooner.

Andy Scott is Projects Director at C-TEC and sits on several BSI, CEN and ETSI committees and is currently working on projects to improve safety in high-rise residential buildings.

This article was originally published in the June edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here

Bird’s eye view: why thermal imaging is mission critical

by Breaking NewsProductsThermal Imaging

When it comes to emergencies, minutes matter and so when critical information is received at the right time it can make all the difference. This is where rapid aerial situational awareness such as that provided by Fotokite can be invaluable in aiding fire services to make informed decisions.

Fotokite is a Swiss company with locations in Zurich, Switzerland, Syracuse NY, and Boulder CO. Founded in 2014, it designs, develops, and manufactures fully autonomous, persistent, and reliable tools designed from the ground up to help public safety teams manage complex, safety-critical situations.

When it arrives on scene, Fotokite can be immediately deployed up to the height of 45 metres and within a minute, full live thermal and a low-light enhanced colour imaging can be viewed without the need for any drone piloting experience, allowing critical decisions to be made quickly and effectively. The scale of the mission can be evaluated immediately and an informed decision on the amount of support needed can be made in real time as live video is remotely streamed directly to the control centre.

For fire brigades with active drone programmes, Fotokite is used as a complementary tool. It provides a first-hand and continuous overview of the scene before the drones are set up and ready to go or when adverse weather conditions prohibit traditional drones to fly.  It remains vigilant on overwatch while drone teams can explore in and out of the scene on limited battery life.

For fire brigades without drones, Fotokite Sigma systems are able to save team resources by launching, flying, and landing with the single push of a button with 24 hour continuous in-air time and requiring no active piloting, allowing teams to focus on their mission while providing live thermal and low-light imaging from the height of up to 45 meters.

Reliability, durability and safety are key aspects of Fotokite’s system. Fotokite Sigma systems are regularly deployed in harsh weather conditions such as high winds, snow or rain (IP55 rated) and first responders can rely on Fotokite’s safety and reliability. The reinforced load rated ultra-thin tether that connects the kite to the ground station acts as an interference free connection and a power source allowing the system to fly for over 24 continuous hours, or as long as the mission requires.

Live video streamed onto the tablet can be shared with team members for control hand-off and mutual aid responses. Optional remote video streaming via integrated cellular data 4G LTE modem enables off-site collaborators is also available to review and provide remote incident support from anywhere.

The Fotokite Sigma is an industrial grade, IP55 rated system that consists of the Ground Station and the Kite. A ruggedised tablet runs the Fotokite Live Application and displays the thermal and low light video streams simultaneously, giving teams actionable information throughout their mission. The system is offered in three configurations: vehicle rooftop mount, transport case, and vehicle-integrated tray mount.

This article was originally published in the June edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Firefighters four times more likely to be diagnosed with cancer

by Breaking NewsSafety

The International Agency for Research on Cancer, a World Health Organisation body, has said that occupational exposure as a firefighter has been classified as carcinogenic.

The decision is a result of research from around the world proving that there are links between firefighting and cancer, including in the UK where research from University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) found that surveyed firefighters were four times more likely to have been diagnosed with cancer than the general population.  

The Agency confirmed that these links arise from issues including toxic fire contaminants. The decision to classify occupational exposure as carcinogenic followed a week-long discussion by 25 leading scientists from eight countries in Lyon, France.

In the UK the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) led on research into the links between cancer and firefighting, and best practice that can help mitigate the potential risks from fire contaminants. This included commissioning and working with UCLan on their independent research, which includes a Firefighters Cancer and Disease Registry, and using that research to produce best practice training for firefighters.

Riccardo la Torre, FBU national officer, said: “Firefighters have known for some time now that their occupational exposure to toxic contaminants has links to cancer and this development is a hugely significant and vital step forward to getting firefighters the recognition and protection that they need to do their jobs safely.

“This classification should be a huge wake-up call for both the government and fire and rescue services. Government now need to urgently acknowledge that cancer is an occupational hazard within firefighting. They also need to be pushing ahead with urgent improvements to protect firefighters from fire contaminants by utilising the union’s ground-breaking training. We also recognise that this news will be worrying for firefighters and want to reassure all of our members that the union will fight to protect your safety at work.”

He added: “No one should get ill from going to work, and firefighters deserve to go home at the end of their shift as safely and healthily as they begun it. The FBU will continue its work in this area to protect firefighters, but we have already consistently been warning the National Fire Chiefs Council, Fire Service Employers and Ministers of this risk and so far have seen very little action from most of them. It’s now time to sit up, listen and act to protect firefighters from this life threatening occupational hazard.

The IARC Monographs, which the classification takes place in, identify environmental factors that are carcinogenic hazards to humans and is an internationally renowned list. National health agencies can use this information as scientific support for their actions to prevent exposure to potential carcinogens.

In the monographs firefighting had previously been held to be “possibly carcinogenic”, in 2007. It has now been upgraded to “carcinogenic to humans”, the highest level of certainty. The cancers identified in relation to this reclassification include mesothelioma and bladder cancer.

IFSJ Exclusive Interview: Jon Walter, Managing Director at Rhino Doors

by Breaking NewsPeople

Rhino Doors, manufacturer of high-performance engineered doors, recently appointed Jon Walter as Managing Director. IFSJ Editor Iain Hoey caught up with Jon to find out more about what his appointment means for the company.

Can you tell me a bit about Rhino Doors: what it is, what solutions it provides?

Rhino Doors designs and manufactures high-integrity doors for the protection of people and high-value assets, and our products offer our clients protection against terrorist assault, explosion, fire, noise, flood or radiation, or a combination of these hazards.

We work across several key sectors, including transport, defence and critical national infrastructure, and our customer portfolio is extremely varied and has included the Ministry of Defence, Transport for London, utilities providers, power generation companies, and hospitals.

We offer our clients a fully comprehensive service, including design and manufacture, site assessment to plan for installation, and installation and servicing through our dedicated aftersales division, Rhino Site Systems.

Can you tell me a bit about your background?

I have always worked in the manufacturing industry, initially in the automotive and rail sectors, and latterly with specialist engineering businesses, of which Rhino is a great example.

My career started in quality management and then progressed through operational control to business management, in the UK, Europe, and the US. I have also spent some time in management consultancy, particularly in the field of operational and business improvement.

How did you come to join Rhino Doors as Managing Director?

I was introduced to Rhino Doors through a mutual acquaintance. The company has grown significantly over the last three years and, to better focus on meeting its clients’ needs, has transformed from a single site company to a holding group, managing three companies over two sites.

Rhino Engineering Group is the parent company, with Rhino Doors, Rhino Site Systems and Rhino HySafe all sitting beneath it. When Stuart Lawrence moved up to Group Managing Director of Rhino Engineering Group, a vacancy was created for a Managing Director of Rhino Doors.

When I was introduced to the company, I was struck by the positive can-do culture and the willingness to go the extra mile to support clients. That, together with an impressive product range and my preference for niche engineering, made it an interesting proposition and I joined Rhino in April of this year.

What expertise will you be bringing to the business?

I have many years’ experience of running and growing engineering businesses. I enjoy selling engineered products which address a challenging technical problem; if the product is good, selling is really about demonstrating the technical solution to the customer, which is very satisfying. Having worked in the automotive industry, I am uncompromising when it comes to improving business performance by reducing waste and introducing methods of working smarter, not harder.

Can you tell me more about Rhino Doors’ expansion plans? Are there any markets it’s looking to expand into?

Rhino’s plan is to continue the pace of growth over the next four years to roughly double the size it is now. This will be achieved by diversifying into other sectors and by continuing to grow the Group’s installation and servicing business.

We see significant opportunities in the nuclear energy sector, with the decommissioning of the Magnox era reactors and the need for secure storage areas for contaminated waste. We are developing a series of very high-performance fire doors which will have multiple applications, and our security door business continues to show strong growth. It is particularly exciting to see the launch this year of Rhino’s high-performance insulated fire door offering up to 90-minute protection for both integrity and insulation, presented in a package that will be attractive to architects.

Another exciting development for the Group is our sister company, Rhino HySafe, which is currently in the R&D phase of producing ultra-fast explosion relief products for use within hydrogen refuelling stations. This project, which is part-funded by the Welsh Government, has no direct connection to Rhino Doors, but we are watching with close interest to see how HySafe’s products could incorporate Rhino Doors technology.

Generally, we will play to our strengths and expand our involvement in challenging, high-value projects which use doors with multiple protective functions. On the installation and servicing side, I know that Rhino Site Systems wish to provide customers with safety checking and servicing plans for non-Rhino doors, in addition to our own installed portfolio.

Global Fire Safety Equipment market to reach $60bn by 2026

by Breaking NewsProducts

The global fire safety equipment market size is expected to grow from $39.03 billion in 2021 to $43.55 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.6%, according to a new report from The Business Research Company. The global fire safety market size is expected to grow to $60.13 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 8.4%. The main types of products in fire safety equipment include extinguishers, fire hydrants and respirators.

The rapid growth of the construction industry is expected to propel the growth of the fire safety equipment market going forward. Construction is the process of building, altering, repairing, remodeling, improving, or demolishing any structures. Fire safety equipment is widely used at the construction site to protect the user from fire.

According to Invest India, an India-based investment promotion and facilitation agency, the construction industry is expected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2025 and by 2030, India’s real estate business would be worth $1 trillion, contributing 13% of the country’s GDP. Therefore, the rapid growth of the construction industry is expected to drive the growth of the fire safety equipment market.

Strategic partnerships have emerged as a key trend gaining popularity in the fire safety equipment market. Major companies operating in the fire safety equipment sector are focused on new partnerships to strengthen their position. For instance, in July 2021, MSA Safety Incorporated, a US-based manufacturer of safety products partnered with Perspective Robotics AG, a Switzerland-based aerial robotics design and manufacturing firm. Through this partnership, the two companies will work together to increase fire scene situational awareness, both locally and remotely.

In November 2020, the American University of Sharjah, a UAE-based institution partnered with Emirates Fire Fighting Equipment Factory LLC, a UAE-based firefighting equipment factory. Through this partnership, these two companies have been working together in areas of research, student internships, fire protection engineering, and community awareness initiatives.

Major players in the fire safety equipment market are Bosch Security System Inc., Hamla PLC, Hochiki Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., Johnson Controls International Plc, Napco Security Technologies Inc, Siemens Building Technologies pvt. Ltd, Gentex Corporation, Eaton Corporation Inc, Nittan Company Ltd., Space Age Electronics, Lowa Fire Equipment Company, Hiren Industrial Corporation, Larsen Manufacturing, and NAFFCO.

North America was the largest region in the fire safety equipment market in 2021. The regions covered in the global fire safety market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.